Pneumatic action for musical instruments.



M. S. WRIGHT. PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8,1902.

Patented Apr. 1, 1913.

2 SHEETE-SHBETI M. s. WRIGHT. PNEUMATIC ACTION FQR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. APPLICATION FILED JULY 8,1902

1,057,474. I Patented Apr. 1, 1913.

2 SH ETEFSHBET Z.

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PNEUMATIG ACTIQN FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

insure.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Applicationfilegl July a, race.- serial No.- 114312 L.

To all whom tvmayconcern;

Be it known-that I, Messrs SIrWBIGH'lf, a" citizen of the United States, residing Worcester, in; the. county, of "Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Pneumatic Actions for Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification, ac

' companied by drawingsforming a part of 10 r'natic-action shown in plan. view in Fig. 52.

Fig. at represents a central, vertical, sectional View of the primary pneumatic or air controlling valve on a larger scale than that shown in Fi'g. 1, and Fig. is a central,

- vertical, sectional view of the primary pneumatic or air controlling valve showing modifications in its construction.

-Similar reference letters and figures refer tosimilar parts in the different views.

7 My invention relates to that class of pneumatic-actuating mechanisms for operating key-strikers or fingers for depressing the keys of a musical instrument, said pneumatic-actuating mechanisms being controlled by a moving strip of perforated paper; and my invent-ion consists in the -construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter described and pointedout in the annexed claims, whereby the mechanism is simplified. and by which the several parts of t'hc mechanism can be constructed entirelv or in part of metal, thereby increasing the durabilityof the structure andfacili,- tating the construction and repairing of the mechanism.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 denotesa portion of the inclosing ease or" framework; 2 and 3 denote rolls forcarry ing strip ot-perf'orated paper ,4. Therollsjil and 3 are. prov-ide'dgwith actuating mechanism, not shown, lay-which the ;rolls are rotated andthe paper "moved- 'overthe jedge'zi of-a tracker board 6 .The edge of fathe tracker board 1S provided; with a. series 20f :openmgs'one of which is shown at 7,

:WlllCh are alternately opened and closed-"by "the movement of the perforated ipaper'in {the usual manner in instruments of this" iclass- The opening 7 communicates with an airchamber 10 inclosed in'a cup-shaped sheet metal shell 11. The upper edge'IZ of the sheet metal shell 11 is adapted to re.

ceive the downwardly turned edgelB of-a flange 14 projecting from the lower end of a cylindrical valve body 15; and pinched between the downwardly turned edge 13 and the upper edge 12. of the shell 11 is the edge of a. flexible diaphragm 16 upon which is mounted a Valve stem 17 capable of a vertically sliding, motion in the metal guides 18 and 19 as the diaphragm 16 is raised or lowered by the variation of the air pressure above and below the same as hereinafter described. The diaphragm 16,

with its inclosing metallic shell constitutes what I term the valve pneumatic, as it serves to actuate the valve stem 17, and open and close the valves carried thereon. The cylindrical valve body 15 is divided horizumtally by a metal partition 20 into two sections or chambers 21 and -22 which communicate-by an opening 23 in the partition 20. The upper end of the valve body 15 has an interior flange 24: provided with a central opening 25', forming a communication between the chamber 22 and the open air. The metal partition 20 is preferably curredupwardly to form abe'aring surface or valve .seat 26 and the flange 24 is preferably curved downwardly to form. a bean Zing surfaceor valve seat 25. "the valve stem 17 carries an upper valve 28 arranged to close the opening 25 when the valvesteni raised and a 'lower valve 29 arranged "to close the opening 523 when the valve stem is; depressed. The exterior surface of the cylindrical. valve: body 15 is provided with" a screw thread 30 by which it is inserted through screw threaded openings 31, '31. in a sheet' metal box 32 whichincloses a vacuumchamber cdnnecte'd'by' a pipe 34 to a bellows 35, of the usual form of, construction in instruments of this class, by which atentett Apr. El, 1913.

the air is exhausted from the vacuum chamber 33 and likewise from the chamber 21 by means of the openings 36 in the valve body 15. Screwed upon the upper end of the valve body is a sheet metal box 37 inclosing an air chamber 38 communicating with the upper valve chamber 22 by means of openings 39 forming a conduit'to an inverted cup-shaped shell 40. The metal box 37 is placed above and transversely to the metal box 32 and is screwed to the valve body 15 near one of its ends. Near the opposite end of the box 37 and attached to its under surface is an inverted cup-shaped sheet metal shell 40 inclosing an air chamber 41 which communicates with the air chamber 38 by means of. an opening 4 2. The lower open end of the cup-shaped shell 40 is closed by a flexible diaphragm 43 attached at its-edge, in'. any suitable manner, to the edge of the cup-shaped shell 40, in the present instance by means ofa metal clamping ring 44. The flexible diaphragm 43 and its inclosing'shell constitutes the mo,-

' I is a washer 45 which is connecte tor pneumatic and serves to actuate the fingers or key striker as hereinafter described. Supported upon-the flexible dia hragm 43 by a' link 46 with a lever 47 pivoted at one end to a fixed stud 48 and connected at its opposite end by a link49 with a finger or key-striker 5O pivoted about midway its length and provided at its opposite end with a cushioned head 52 which restsnpon a key 53 of a piano or other musical instrument.

An elastic gasket 54 is interposed between the sheet metal box 32 and the flange 14 of the valve body and a similar gasket 55 is interposed between the boxes 32 and 37; said gaskets being compressed to form air tightjoints.

In Fig. 5, I have shown'a' slightly modifled form of construction which I consider preferable to that shown in Fig. 4, inas-.

much as I do away with the necessity of forming a screw thread upon theentire length of the cylindrical valve body 15 and -I effect the compression of both gaskets 54 and 55 by means of a short screw thread 56 on the upper end of the valve body 15 and a nut 57 provided with an interior. flange 58 which forms the upper valve seat in lieu of the flange 24, Fig. 4, and withan exterior flange which forms a bearingsurface for the gasket 55. The outer surface of the valve body 15 is left plain as at 60, Fig. 5, except at its central section a circumferential groove 61 may be formed, if desired, to receive the inner edge of the upper gasket 55.

In the construction shown in Fig. 5, the sheet metal boxes 32 and 37 and the gaskets 54 and 55 are clamped between the flange 14 of the valve body and the nut 57; and all thejoints may be closed by tightening the upper and lower positions in order to disclose the openings 39 more clearly. The valve stem 17, however, is normally in its lowest position with the lower valve 29 resting upon the valve seat- 26 and closing the opening 23 between the upper and lower valve chambers 21 and 22, while the opening 25 is open between the upper valve chamher 22 and the air. In lieu 'of the bellows 35, operated by a foot treadle 35, as is common in instruments of this class, any suitable means may be employed for the purpose of exhausting air from the vacuum chamber 33.

IVhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments the combination of a box inclosing a vacuum chamber and having openings in its opposite walls, a metallic shell communicating with the vacuum chamber through one of said openings, a flexible diaphragm held in said shell, a box inclosing an air chamber and having inlet and outlet openings 1n its opposite walls, means for attaching said boxes together with, their openings in alinement, a valve stem held concentrically with said openings and operatively connected with said flexible diaphragm and valves carried by said valve stem for closing the inlet and outlet-openings of said air chamber, substantially as described.

2. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments the combination of a box inclosing a vacuum chamber and having openings in its opposite walls, a metallic shellcommunicating with the vacuum chamber through one of said openings,.a flexible diaphragm held in said metallic shell, a box inclosing an air chamber and having inlet and outlet openings in its opposite walls, means ,for attaching said boxes together with their openings in alinement, a valve stem held concentrically withsaid openings and operatively connected with said flexible diaphragm, valves carried by said valve stem for closing the inlet and outlet openings of said air chamber, and a motor pneumatic communicating with said air chamber, substantially as described.

3. In a' pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination of a box inclosing a vacuum chamber, a motor pneumatic.

a valve controlled passage connecting said motor pneumatic with said vacuum chamher, an opening in .one of the walls of said vacuum chamber,a cylindrical metallic body detachably held in .said opening and having a flange at one end, a metallic shell detachably held by said flange outside said vacuum chamber, a flexible diaphragm held in said shell, and a valve for controlling said valve controlled air passage operatively connected with said flexible diaphragm, substantially as described.

t. In a pneui'natic action for musical instruments, the combination of a vacuum chamber having an'opening in one of its walls, of a metallic shell outside said vacuum chamber, a cylindrical body extcmling from said shell and inserted in the opening of said vacuum chamber, a flexible diaphragm 1nclosed in said shell, a valvestem operatively connected with said diaphragm, an inlet opening to said vact'tum chamber, and a valve carried by said valve stem for closing said'inlet opening, substantially as described.

, 5.111 a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination with a box in closing a vacuum chamber and having an opening in one of its walls, of a metallic shell, a metallic cylindrical body detachably held in said opening and having an terior flange outside said box, a metallic shell held by saidtlange, a flexible diaphragm inclosed in said shell, agasket interposed between the wall of said vacuum chamber and said flange and means for drawing said flange against said gasket, sub stantially as described. i

6. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination vith a vacuum chamber, of a valve mechanism detachably attached to said vacuum chamber and comprising a valve body having an opening at one end forming a passage for theoutside air, a shell inclosing'an, air chamber at the opposite' end of said valve body, a flexible diaphragm inclosed in said shell, a transverse partition dividing said valve body into two sections and provided with an air passage connecting said sections, a valve stem held concentrically in said valve body and operatively connected with said flexible diaphragm, and a pair of valves carried by "said'valve stem and arranged. to close said air passages, substantially as described.

7. In a pneumatic action-tor musical instruments, a detachable valve mechanism .consisting' of a valve body divided by a transverse partition into two sections, said partition having an opening forming an air passage between said sections, an opening at one end of said valve body forming a passage for outside air, a shell at theopposite end of said valve body portion, a tlexible diaphragm inelosed in said shell. an inlet for air beneath said diaphragm, a valve stem operatively connected with said diaphragm and valves carried bv said valve stem and arranged to closesaid air passages, substan; tlally as descrlbed.

S. In a pneumatic action for musical mstruments, a valve mechanism consisting of acylindrical valve body having an opening at one end forming a passage for outside air, a transverse partition dividing said valve body into two sections and having an openingforming an air passage between,

said sections, screw thread at one end of said valve body, a nut carried by said screw thread, an exterior flangeat the opposite end of said valve body, a cup shaped shell held by said flange, a. flexible diaphragmpinched between said cup shaped section and the edge of said flange, a valve stem operatively connected with said diaphragm and. valves carried by said valve stem and arranged to close said airpassages, substantially as. described.

9, in a pneumatic action for musical instruments the continuation of a box lllClOS- ing a vacuum chamber, a box inclosing an air chamber, a screw threaded valve body inserted through said boxes and having openings communicating with each of said chambers, a valve controlled opening to theoutside air at one end of said: valve body, a partition in said valve body having a valve controlled opening thercthrough, a flange at the opposite end of said valve body, a shell supported by said flange, a 'llexible diaphragm in said shell. a gasket between said vacuum chamber box and said flange, a nut on the screw threaded valve body by which said gasket is compre sed. and a valve stem and valves iurlowd in said valve body, sul'istantially as described.

10. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination of a box inclos- 'ing a vacuum chamber, a. box int-losing an air chamber and having a valve controlled passage coimnunictting with said vacuum chan'tber, of a motor pneumatic detachably attached to said air chamber box and communicating therewith, said motor pneumatic consisting ol a cup shaped open metallic shell, a tlexible diaphragmcovering the large' and open end oi said shell and having its outer side exposed to the pressure of outside air, andmeans for attaching said diaph ngm to said shell, substantially as described. I

ll. In a pneumatic action for musical in; struments, the coi'nbination of a vacuum chamber, an air chamber a valve controlled passage connecting said chambers, a motor pneumatic consisting of a cup shaped met-allic cover having its larger end open. a flexible diaphragm closing'the open end of said shell midi-presenting one side to the pressure of outside air, and means for detachably connecting said shell with said air chamber, substantially as described.

12. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination of a box inclosing a vacuum chamber, a box inclosing an air chamber. and having a valve controlled passage communicating withsaid vacuum chamber, a motor pneumatic detachably attached to the under side oi said air chamber box, and consisting of an inverted cupshaped metallic shell, a flexible diaphragm closing the under side of said shell, a'lever pivoted at one end to a fixed stud, a link connecting the opposite end'of said lever with a key striker, a pivoted key striker, and a link connecting said lever midway its length with said flexible diaphragm, substantially as described.

13. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination of a box inclosing a vacuum chamber, a box inclosing an air chamber, said boxes having holes in alinement, an interposed gasket between said boxes, a valve body passing through said boxes and having a circumferential groove to receive the edge or said gasket, substantially as described.

14. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination of an integral metallic box 32 inclosing avacuum chamber, a. valve controlling pneumatic detachably attache'dto said box 82, an integral box 37 placed transversely to said box 32, a motor pneumatic communicating with said box 37, openings in said boxes and means for attaching said boxes together with their openings in alinement and a valve for controlling the passage through said openings,substantially as described.

15. In a pneumatic-action for musical instruments, the combination with. a vacuum chamber and air chamber, of a valve'body extending through the two and in communication with each, substantially as de scribed.

16. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination with a vacuum chamber and air chamber, of a valve body extending through the two and in communication with each and a pneumatic connected to an end of the'valve body, substantially as described.

17. in a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination with a metallic integral box inclosing a vacuum chamber and an integral metallic box inclosing an air chamber, of a separate metallic valve body assing through and detachably uniting said boxes, substantially as described 18. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments,-the combination of an integral metallic box inclosing a vacuum chamber, an integral metallic box inclosing an air chamher, and a separate valve body passing through and detachably uniting said boxes and having openings communicating with each, substantially as described.

19. In a pneumatic action :tor musical instruments, the combination with ametallic box inclosing a vacuum chamber and a metallic box inclosing an, air chamber, of a metallic valve body detachably connecting said boxes and in communication with each of said chambers, and a valve controlling pneumatic located at one end of said valve body, substantially as described.

20. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination with a vacuum ohamber, of an air chamber placed transversely to said vacuum chamber and form ing a conduit to a motor pneumatic, a valve body extending through said chambers, and in communication with each avalve inclosed in said valve chamber, and a valve actuating pneumatic at one end of said valve body, substantially as described.

21. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination of an integral metallic'box 32 inclosing a vacuum chamber, an integral metallic box 37 inclosing an air chamber, one of said boxes being placed above the other box and having openings in alinement, a metallic valve body passing through said openings and in communication with said vacuum and said valve chambers, substantially as described.

22. The combination with a metallic box inclosing a vacuum chamber and a metallic box inclosing an air chamber, of a metallic valve body connecting said boxes, a valve controlling pneumatic supported by said valve body, a valve stem controlled by said pneumatic, valves thereon and valve seats supported by the valve body and arranged to be engaged by said valves, substantially as described.

23. The combination with a vacuum chamber, an air chamber and a valve body extending through said chambers and provided with openings thereinto, of a pneumatic secured to one end of the valve body, a diaphragm therein, a valve stem operated by the diaphragm, valves carried by the stem and valve seats connected with the valve body, substantially as described.

24. The combination with two'chambers having alined holes, of a valve body fitting the holes, said valve body enlarged at one end and threaded at the opposite end, anut screwed thereon, said nut having a yalve seat, a seat Within the body and a pair of valves adapted to engage said seats alter.-

nately, substantially as described.

25. The combination with two chambers having alined holes, ofa metallic valve body fitting the holes said valve body enlarged. at one end and threaded at the opposite end, a

i'nclosing a vacuum chamber,

neonate nut screwed thereon, said nut having a valve seat, a seat W th n the body and a' pair of valves adapted to engage said seats alternately and a pneumatic for operating the valves, substantially as described.

' A 26. The combination with an integral mesaid boxes, and a motor pneumatic detach- ,aloly attached to said air chamber box, substantially as described.

27-. The combinationpf a metallic box a metallic box inclosing an air chamber at right angles thereto, a valve body connecting said boxes and communicating with said chambersand also With the outer air, a valve 'inclosed in said valve body-tor closing the opening to the outer air, a'valve inclosed in said valve body for closing the passages between said. boxes, a pneumatic at one end of said valve body. operatively connecting with said valves and the motor pneun'iatie communieating with said air chamber, substantially chamber struments, the

- as described. I 28. The combination with a vacuum chamber, an air chamber, valve body and valves operating therein, of a primary piuumatic, a tracker board, a pipe leading therefrom to the pneumatic, said pipe having; a vent, an air chamber into which the vent discharges,

'and a'pipe leading from the air chamber to the vacuum chamber, substantially as described.

29. The combination with a vacuum chamber, an air chamber valve body and valves operating therein, of a primary pneumatic, a tracker board, a pipe leading therefrom to the pneumatic, said pipe'having a vent, an into which the vent discharges, a pipe leading't'rom the air chamber to the vacuum chamber, a main pneumatic connected with the outer end of the valvechamber, a leper and a striker operated by the diaphragm of .said main pneumatic, substantially as described.

30. In a pneui'natic action for musical in combination of a \"Ol'lllCdllY disposed tubular valve body, a horizontally arranged boX inclosing a'vabuum chamber sleeved upon the Wall of said valve body and communicating therewith, and a pneumatic element having a supporting part superimposed. on the vacuum box and sleeved upon the Qvvall ot' the valve body, the pneumatic 5 element "having" communication Nit-l1 the valve body 31. Ina pneumatic action for music;

strument s, the combination of tuouflr valve body, a vacuum chamber removably sleeved upon said valve body and communicating therewith, a pneumatic element having ,a supporting part also removably sleeved upon the valve body, the pneumatic element ha ing communication with the valve body, and a single means for securing said vacuum chamber and pneumatic in position, comprising a nut also sleeved upon the valve body and havinginterlocking engagcment therewith.

ln'a pneumatic action, a tubular valve body having an outward projection thereon, a vacuum box sleeved upon the valve body, a pneumatic element having a partsleeved upon the valve body and supported by the vacuun'i chaui'hrur, the vacuum box and pneumatic part being of independent construction and removable relative'to one another,

ing the pncui'nulic part and vacuum box in position, and a pneumatic element fitted to the projection on the valve body, a valve actuated by said last mentioned element and guide on the nut for the valve stem.

33. in a pneumatic action for musical inmotor pm-umatic.

la a pneumatic action for lllllSlfll 1nslruments, the combination of a horizontally extending vacuum chamber, a vertically arranged valve casing havimg communication with the vacuum chamber and said vacuum l chamber and valve casing being supported one upon the other and being independently l reumvablc as complete units, a motor pneul matic; and a metallic tubular member Form- 1 ing a support tor the motor pneumatic c.\'- loading :lrom the valve casing. i 37 in a pneumatic action for musical inl slrumonts the combination of a horizontally extruding; vacuum chamber, a vertically arnsing having communication l with the vacuum chamber and said vacuum l chamber and valve casino being supported 1 one upon the other and being independently removable as complete units, a motor pneumatic, a support for the motor pneumatic extending from the valve casing, and said support being independent of the valve casin}; and independently removable,

so. in a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination with the vacuum chamber arranged horizontally of a valve casii'ig a rranged vertically and supported by the vacuum chamber, a horizontally disanged valve a nut threaded to the valve body for holdy casing; and constituting;- a support for-the l posed motor pneumatic spaced from the valve chamber and a support for the motor pneumatic extending from the valve casing.

37. In a pneumatic act-ion for musical instruments, the combination of a tubular valve body, a vacuum chamber removably sleeved upon said valve body and communieating therewith, a pneumatic element having a supporting part also removably sleeved upon the valve body, the pneumatic element having communication with the valve body, and a single means for'securing said vacuum chamber and pneumatic in position;

Dated this first day of July 1902.

MORRIS S, WRIGHT. 

